BY JAYASYALINY JAYARAJ
BANGI: The Ministry of Entrepreneur Development (MED) and Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) through a strategic collaboration launched a pioneer project to prepare the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) towards utilisation of digital technology in their business.
The launch of the project held on 9 December at Bangi Resort Hotel aims to help local companies scale up to a higher level in preparation for the Industry 4.0 (I4.0) revolution in Malaysia.
It was participated by [ihc-hide-content ihc_mb_type=”show” ihc_mb_who=”2,3″ ihc_mb_template=”1″ ]
100 Bumiputera micro enterprises and SMEs who were given exposure towards I4.0 technologies through technical support and mentorship. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Datuk Wan Suraya Wan Md Radzi, MED Secretary-General who launched the MEDMTDC I4.0 SME Accelerator programme 2019 said local SMEs must not only focus on marketing and manufacturing for the local market but should also work towards ensuring their products and services are competent enough to penetrate the global market.
“The adaptation of I4.0 technologies by SMEs ultimately will enhance their ability in facing the global market challenges in order to remain competitive and relevant in both the local and international market,” Suraya added.
She further emphasised that Malaysia is currently ranked 58th out of 137 countries in the Global Entrepreneurship Development Institute’s (GEDI) Global Entrepreneurship Index; and ranked 35th in the Global Innovation Index hinting that there is room for improvement and gaps to fill.
The MED-MTDC I4.0 SME Accelerator programme 2019, in line with the strategy that is part of the National Entrepreneurship Policy (DKN) 2030 will be executed in three phases. The first phase started in Dec 2019 with the third phase scheduled to end in Feb 2020. Phase One included a five-day workshop participated by 100 Bumiputera SMEs as I4.0 “early adopters”. Phase Two will be having 50 participants who will be selected from those in Phase One to be the adopters of MTDC’s 9 Pillars of I4.0 which includes autonomous robots, big data analytics, cloud computing, IoT, additive manufacturing (3D printing), system integration, cyber security, augmented reality and simulation.
Companies which have adopted the I4.0 solutions will be recognised and evaluated in Phase Three by the MTDC Technopreneur Training Academy (TENTRA) which is responsible for preparation of the I4.0 advancement training. MTDC Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Norhalim Yunus who was also present during the event said the corporation also brought enterprises that had successfully adopted I4.0 for knowledge sharing with SMEs involved.
Through this programme, MTDC would bring in local I4.0 solution expert providers from the Centre of 9 Pillars (Co9P) community itself to assist in expanding the potential of the SME’s to expedite their achievement in commercialisation targets. Norhalim hopes that this programme could be conducted every year to benefit the local SMEs and also encourage more SMEs to participate in it.
“We need to develop local entrepreneurs towards Industry 4.0 or else we will forever have to continue depending on foreign technology,” Norhalim added.
